qatarperegrine (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
qatarperegrine) wrote2010-05-14 10:34 pm
qatarperegrine) wrote2010-05-14 10:34 pm
Entry tags:
New York Times ridicules Qataris
Today's New York Times published a rather biting article about the conflict between Qataris and non-Qataris in Qatar: Affluent Qataris Seek What Money Cannot Buy.
Qataris' and non-Qataris' stereotypes of each other is something I've been thinking about a lot this summer, between the Lisa Clayton kerfuffle and the recent arguments over on Mimiz Blog about whether Qataris are discriminated against in the workplace here.
So it's nice to see the New York Times addressing something that I think IS a hot issue here (their last article on Qatar having been a little random)... but the way they go about it makes me cringe a little. I think it'd be more interesting for them to have dug deeper into Qatarization and its effects, or the role of nationality in expats' experience of Qatar, rather than just making mocking digs about people's restaurant etiquette.
The main things I've heard discussed about this locally are (a) the unrepresentativeness of the Qatari interviewees, almost all of whom are high school dropouts, and (b) shock that the NYT got these quotes on record. I am completely unsurprised that a director at QSTP would privately feel that "Qataris are very spoiled," but utterly astonished that he would say so to a New York Times reporter. (Some even suspect they might not have known they were on record.)
Qataris' and non-Qataris' stereotypes of each other is something I've been thinking about a lot this summer, between the Lisa Clayton kerfuffle and the recent arguments over on Mimiz Blog about whether Qataris are discriminated against in the workplace here.
So it's nice to see the New York Times addressing something that I think IS a hot issue here (their last article on Qatar having been a little random)... but the way they go about it makes me cringe a little. I think it'd be more interesting for them to have dug deeper into Qatarization and its effects, or the role of nationality in expats' experience of Qatar, rather than just making mocking digs about people's restaurant etiquette.
The main things I've heard discussed about this locally are (a) the unrepresentativeness of the Qatari interviewees, almost all of whom are high school dropouts, and (b) shock that the NYT got these quotes on record. I am completely unsurprised that a director at QSTP would privately feel that "Qataris are very spoiled," but utterly astonished that he would say so to a New York Times reporter. (Some even suspect they might not have known they were on record.)
Re: Infantile NY Times
(Anonymous) 2010-05-20 11:34 am (UTC)(link)"No doubt you do earn your pay Marjorie but I bet Qatar pays you an awful lot more than your home country would."
That means you think all expats go to Qatar to get a pay raise. That means you think the only good thing about Qatar is money. But in reality, many expats go to Qatar for reasons other than their salary. So that means they love Qatar more than you do.
Aren't you ashamed that you hate your own country?
Re: Infantile NY Times
(Anonymous) 2010-05-20 12:13 pm (UTC)(link)When you asked your RHETORICAL question, the answer was contained within the question, hence you "asked and answered" it. You said, "Are you saying Qatar is a dump, and there's no other reason to go there? How pathetic." ...which really means >>> "how pathetic to say that Qatar is a dump and money is the only reason people would go there."
As i explained, I understood perfectly well and unfortunately I think it is you who are not capable of grasping what I said. I hope this simpler version works. You should not assume either that it is only Qataris who defend Qatar.
I'm sorry that you have to resort to rudeness by insulting me and I am mature enough not to retaliate.
Re: Infantile NY Times
(Anonymous) 2010-05-20 12:49 pm (UTC)(link)That's retalition, right there. Basic passive aggressive retaliation.
OOPS, GUESS YOU MESSED THAT ONE UP.
Re: Infantile NY Times
(Anonymous) 2010-05-20 12:58 pm (UTC)(link)I think I have outstayed my time on this blog. Good day.
Re: Infantile NY Times
(Anonymous) 2010-05-20 12:32 pm (UTC)(link)1) "I bet Qatar pays you an awful lot more than your home country would" ... to mean.... 2)"you think the only good thing about Qatar is money" is not someone with a rational head on his/her shoulders. It is an illogical leap that you make and discredits you completely -which is why your rhetorical questions was ignored and I sarcastically thanked you for asking and answering.
Re: Infantile NY Times
(Anonymous) 2010-05-20 01:00 pm (UTC)(link)That was supposed to be an insult, a reason to ignore Marjorie's words. In my limited experience, nearly every discussion of expats in Qatar involves someone saying, "Expats only come to Qatar for the big money." And here, like often happens, it's just not true.
So either the anonymous commenter was trying to use empty rhetoric to fuck with Marjorie, or else the anonymous commenter couldn't imagine why expats would go to Qatar. You tell me which.